Shamrock Fest at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey begins March 1

Waking Finnegan performs March 14.

Waking Finnegan performs March 14. —COURTESY PHOTO

The cast of  “Andy Cooney’s Irish Celebration,” which kicks off the Shamrock Fest.

The cast of “Andy Cooney’s Irish Celebration,” which kicks off the Shamrock Fest. COURTESY PHOTO

The Fiddling Thomsons, Ryan and Brennish Thomson, perform March 16.

The Fiddling Thomsons, Ryan and Brennish Thomson, perform March 16. —COURTESY PHOTO

The marching band from Conant High School marches in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The marching band from Conant High School marches in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. —COURTESY PHOTO

Published: 02-22-2024 9:02 AM

Modified: 02-22-2024 9:56 AM


The Park Theatre has announced the lineup of entertainment for its third annual Shamrock Fest.

The 2024 edition kicks off on March 1 at 7:30pm with a variety concert program hosted by tenor Andy Cooney, “Andy Cooney’s Irish Celebration.” His variety show includes Irish comedian George Casey, Irish folk singer Ciara Fox, the Guinness Irish Band and the Emerald Fire Irish Dancers. Reserved seat tickets are $39 to $49.

Celtic rock band Waking Finnegan takes the stage Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. Local singer Eve Pierce is the lead singer of the band. Tickets are $20.

Dueling Pianos returns with a special “Irish Edition” on Friday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.. Two grand pianos are center stage with a team of pianists with a large repertoire. The performance includes audience participation. Tickets are $25.

The Irish-themed musical film “Finian’s Rainbow” will be screened Saturday, March 16, at 1:30 p.m. The restored film from 1968 stars Fred Astaire, Petula Clark and Tommy Steele. Tickets are $10 and $9.

Father and son fiddlers Ryan and Brennish Thomson bring their brand of music to Shamrock Fest this year. The Fiddling Thomsons will perform Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. They present music on fiddles, accordion, banjo, Celtic flute, piano, guitar, wooden spoons, jaw harp and more. They won the New Hampshire 2023 Governor’s Arts Award for Folk Heritage. Tickets are $20.

Finally, The Park Theatre presents the fifth annual Jaffrey St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will happen on Main Street in downtown Jaffrey on Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. It starts at the St. Patrick’s Parish parking lot at 87 Main St. and heads east and ends just past the reviewing stand in front of The Park Theatre at 19 Main St.

The parade includes floats, bagpiper Mark Polifrone, the Mascenic High School Marching Band, the Keene American Legion Band, the 1st New Hampshire Revolutionary War Regiment, the 6th New Hampshire Infantry Company E of West Peterborough and the Flying Irish Dancers of Ashby, Mass. The theater will be selling hot food, hot drink, soda and candy. Alcoholic drinks, including Guinness beer and Murphy’s stout, will be on sale inside the theater (ID is required). The rain date for the parade is Saturday, March 23.

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“We are so proud to produce another Shamrock Fest as well as Jaffrey’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It is always a wonderful local community event that reaches out to Vermont, Massachusetts and other parts of New Hampshire. Everyone shares the Irish spirit of camaraderie even if they are not Irish. We have another exceptional lineup of talent for this year’s festival. We ask everyone to join us and enjoy the fun of the green,” stated Steve Jackson, CEO and managing director of The Park Theatre.

Information, schedule, and tickets for Shamrock Fest can be found by going to theparktheatre.org/shamrockfest. People can also call the box office at 603-532-8888.